Adler pleads ‘Not Guilty’ to Misconduct, Embezzlement charges
PHILIPSBURG – Granite County Commissioner Scott Adler entered a plea of ‘Not Guilty’ Thursday when he faced Judge Ray Drayton in the District 3 court.
Adler is facing charges of Official Misconduct and Theft by Embezzlement from the Montana Attorney General’s Office for his alleged misuse of Granite County equipment, materials and personnel in a paving project at his private residence in Drummond. The charges carry a combined maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. If convicted of the Misconduct charge, Adler would be forced to leave his office as a county commissioner permanently.
Judge Drayton set a hearing of March 15, 2018 for Adler’s next appearance to face the charges, also in the Philipsburg court. Adler was released to his own recognizance.
The charges stem from paving work that was done on Adler's personal property September 6-7, 2017. Adler is accused of using Granite County equipment, personnel and materials to pave his private driveway, a length of dirt road that according to DCI Agent Jeff Vittatoe is more than 300 feet in length.
Adler is being represented by attorney Mike Grayson out of Anaconda.
NOTE - This story originally ran on QSPNLive.com Feb. 15, 2018.
